Ep 9. Houston Weekend

In Unique Eats season 5 episode 9, titled Houston Weekend, viewers are taken on a culinary journey through one of Texas' most vibrant cities. Host Tamara Reynolds explores some of the best restaurants in Houston, which boasts of a thriving food culture shaped by the city's diverse population.

The episode starts with a tour of One Fifth Houston. The restaurant changes its concept every year, meaning that it's always possible to try something new. In 2019, the One Fifth team decided to showcase the Gulf Coast and offer guests a chance to enjoy seafood dishes inspired by the region. Tamara gets to sample some of the restaurant's signature dishes, like the Seafood Gumbo with Shrimp and Crawfish and the Gulf Coast Shrimp and Pasta.

Next, Tamara moves on to State of Grace, a Tex-Mex-inspired restaurant with a unique twist. The restaurant is housed in a converted church, and it has been transformed into a trendy hotspot with a cozy ambiance. The team at State of Grace takes pride in sourcing local and seasonal ingredients, which they incorporate into dishes such as the Gulf Oysters with chili butter and chowder, and the whole roasted Gulf Snapper.

Tamara heads over to Coltivare next, a farm-to-table eatery that focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant's garden supplies most of the vegetables and herbs used in dishes, and the menu changes frequently to reflect the changes in the garden. Tamara talks with the head chef, Ryan Pera, who shares his passion for using fresh and local ingredients, which is evident in dishes such as the potato gnocchi with smoked pork shoulder and the seasonal vegetable pizza.

Later, Tamara visits Nancy's Hustle, a neighborhood favorite with a laid-back vibe. The restaurant's menu is a mix of playful and innovative dishes, like the bone marrow with red wine and onion jam, and the crispy calf's liver with red pepper jam. Tamara chats with the chef de cuisine, Julia Doran, about the restaurant's philosophy of making high-quality food accessible to everyone.

Lastly, Tamara rounds off her visit to Houston with a stop at Mala Sichuan Bistro, a restaurant that serves flavorful Chinese cuisine with a twist. The restaurant's chefs use traditional Sichuan cooking techniques to create bold and spicy dishes such as the Chicken with Explosive Chili Pepper and the Fish Filet in Fiery Sauce. Tamara talks to the restaurant's owner, Cori Xiong, about his vision for bringing authentic Sichuan cuisine to Houston.

Overall, Unique Eats season 5 episode 9, Houston Weekend, provides viewers with a mouth-watering tour of some of Houston's best restaurants. From farm-to-table eateries to Tex-Mex-inspired restaurants housed in converted churches, this episode highlights the city's diverse food culture and its passion for fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients.